Last Update: Reissued with updates to security situation in Guayaquil. This is not a review, its actually a search for reassurance. If you are in Quito, remember that you have the chance of putting one leg in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern one so visit the Middle of the World city, you wont regret it. 8:52 PM EDT, Sat September 29, 2012. I lived in a residential valley outside of Quit called Sangolqu from August-December 2019, at 20 as a female. Top 20 Places Women Are Traveling In 2019, Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 25 Companies For Remote Jobs That Allow You To Travel, Dream Job Alert! Its reputation is that of one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with one hundred different types of hummingbirds and thousands of orchid varieties. An Israeli Chabad rabbi working in Quito, Ecuador was kidnapped last week and held for four days by a gang of criminals who demanded $500,000 in ransom. How much time do i need between flights at GYE? It is a beautiful country, I traveled around mainly by car , often from Quito to Guayaquil including in the night and never had issues. Ecuador is a place for the real nature loving tourist, and a paradise for visitors trying to immerse themselves in breathtaking beaches like Salinas, Bahia de Caraquez, Manta, Crucita, San Jacinto, and San Clemente. Up to $20,000 each. For a black guy/gal in the US, you are a thousand times more likely to get killed by a black dude than a cop. As you stroll through the shops and historic sites, make sure you know where youve stored your valuables and force yourself to remain alert about anyone trying to get too close to you. Lindhout was working as freelance journalist in Mogadishu when she was kidnapped by a group of young Somali men. [1] There were a total of 1,924 murders in Ecuador in 2012. U dont wanna be around that. Just like anywhere in the world, its common for car windows to be broken when items of value can be seen through them. Love a good meal with them. As in almost any countries, there is a great risk of getting scammed. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. A 2016 file photo of Judith DSouza, an Indian, charity worker who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. Alex Zayas-Dorchak thats not true though. Overall, its better to avoid the un-vetted taxi services in Quito, Guayaquil, Manta, Playas, and other coastal towns. I advise you to have a local trusted advisor accompany you. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon. Anyone who harbours fear about travelling to Ecuador is denying themselves a visit to one of the most interesting an friendliest countries in the world. White or Black do your time for your crime ! For five days, the world watched and waited in horror. Visit the CDC page for the latestTravel Health Informationrelated to your travel. There is a large divide between the rich and poor which does not help the crime rate in the Philippines. Routine Vaccinations for Ecuador. If you missed the other articles, you might want to Start Here. In this article, were going to shed some light on the real crime stats in Ecuador by comparing them to the United States, and were going to give you some common sense safety tips to help you avoid experiencing crime in Ecuador. Take care of you and your surroundings and you still will have an incredible amazing trip to Ecuaor. This will help make sure you can safely enjoy the sights of Guayaquil, such as shops and restaurants along the Malecn 2000 or the gorgeous Parque Seminario and its iguanas. Some people think its too small to offer that much or that its unsafe. Robberies and assaults have taken place even on crowded beaches . Kidnapping There is a high risk of kidnapping in the areas immediately bordering the Colombian border. Im planning to visit Ecuador for 5 weeks from the beginning of October 2022. We were with a travel angency group, and a large group of 70 people. As two military-style helicopters touch down in a remote village in the jungles of Ecuador, masked men with guns hop out and scurry into a one-room schoolhouse. It seems that the once safe Tulum is the latest victim in Mexico's safety crisis. Express kidnappings, often in connection with carjackings, is a concern throughout Ecuador. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 6.0 magnitude earthquake - 3 December, 2017. The situation in the country has calmed. A friend of mine is sitting at the airport since yesterday. However, if youre from the United States, Canada or other less graffiti-prone parts of the world, you may instantly picture gangs on a violent rampage vandalizing the city with cans of spray paint. Sounds like a nightmare. Too many people carries a weapon. The risk of robbery, assault, and kidnapping still exists, just as it does in the United States and everywhere else in the world. What to do if an earthquake strikes while you're in Ecuador. If you're travelling to these areas, consult your doctor before you leave. The USA was a great country but now it is the worst in the world, stay away. In Ecuador, graffiti is viewed as an art form, which is why youll often see the artists real name embedded in the painting or below it. It was our only night to go out to have dinner on our own, and we were told the Malachon- the Riverfront- was a safe area. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. "The Australian consul from our embassy in Santiago, Chile, is travelling to Ecuador to provide consular assistance," said a spokeswoman. Country Summary: Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Sunday 30 September 2012 02:58, UK The statistics about kidnapping aren't well-known but not uncommon. Peaceful protests can turn violent on a dime, so its best to avoid any large demonstrations. Transnational criminal organizations and gangs operate in Carchi, Sucumbos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, as well as in Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue. I appreciate you attention to detail, your love and kindness to one another, and your helpful information. We know of other taxi robberies and it's always the younger drivers. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Which areas of Guayaquil are worth visiting? Trip report (Jan 26-28): enjoy Guayaquil, but do be careful! Read article Transportation The rugged Andes and tracts of impenetrable rainforest present formidable barriers to overland exploring in Ecuador. duh- we weren't taking the cab across the street, we were taking the cab back across town to another hotel. Thats not true, it doesnt matter if youre black, Im from Ecuador you piece of. Recommended for travel to regions under 2,200 metres elevation, excludes Guayaquil, Quito and the Galapagos Islands. And we will mention top travel bloggers to give you their own opinions of each place. The people are creative. . Well show you how to earn legitimate income from anywhere in the world! A man has been arrested on. Common sense says Cooperate and you wont get shot!!! Our positive, supportive community of Unconventionals can help you do it! Check the Gov. Go to Italy instead. This couldnt be further from the truth. And a woman's. Visit enjoy yourself and take the necessary precautions. Others in the group were let go. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. Advice from me (the most paranoid traveler who prepares like crazy): Dont be vulnerable. In big cities you must heed warnings from locals to stay away from certain areas. Typically, a tourist boards a taxi where the driver is the accomplice, and the criminals hop into the cab right after the victim, robbing, assaulting and keeping the victim hostage. Foreigners have been kidnapped in the past. Yes, Quito and Guayaquil can be very unsafe at night in certain neighbourhoods, but so is ANY large city in North America. The kidnapping also promptedthe U.S. State Department to take action in an attempt to help warn travelers of thethreat of goingto some countries. Spanish is my learned language, Without it I would have been quite lost, as very very few people speak English, but I met many travelers who did fine without it. That won't be destroyed anytime soon. From the Amazon and the Andes to the Galpagos, here are the top things to do. Some people have reported their belongings missing from their hotel rooms, so taking advantage of a hotel safe for belongings like passports and cash is a great idea. More white people are killed in raw numbers, but ALSO as a percentage when you divide by interactions with police, or rates of violent crimes. Despite a recent plateau, the Ecuadorian homicide rate fell from 15.4 per 100,000 in 2011 to 5.7 in 2018. Like anywhere in the world, there are ways to avoid dangerous places and situations. Theres a wide variety of techniques used to snag your wallet. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. And yes I did reside in Quit during the 14 day manifestaciones that halted travel across the entire country and had a curfew instated while the capitol city was changed to Guayaquil and the airports shut down, so Ive experienced Ecuador at what felt to be very unstable time. Most of these crimes occur in tourist locations, so staying vigilant in these areas and in crowds will help keep you from falling victim to theft. Id like to note I was in the wrong place for a sola gringa to be in both of those situations and I had been warned of the risk before. The new indicator, signaling a risk of kidnapping, has been added to the . Ecuadorian journalists kidnapped by rebels have been killed, president says Lenn Moreno offers reward for information about suspected killers and orders resumption of military operations on. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. And while just six Americans fell victim to homicide in the latter, the murder rate for U.S. citizens is, per capita, higher on the Caribbean island than it is in Mexico. 2023 Cable News Network. In 2018, kidnapping rate for Ecuador was 4.4 cases per 100,000 population. I have never felt unsafe but then Im never out after dark unless on organised local tours, vetted by the hotel where Im staying at the time. Transnational criminal organizations and gangs operate in Carchi, Sucumbos, and the northern part of Esmeraldas provinces, as well as in Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue. Security forces rescued two tourists Saturday, just one day after they were kidnapped in a remote region of northeast Ecuador, the Interior Ministry said. A man trekking in Ecuador with his teenage daughter is kidnapped. Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. This isnt to say you should walk around Ecuador without taking common sense precautions. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. August 12, 2014 a kidnapping took place in our home in Vilcabamba, Ecuador. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Ecuador has a high level of COVID-19. Adam Maksou, 36, of Methuen, is being held on $75,000 cash bail and Jamie (O'Neil) Garrity, also 36 of Methuen, is being held on $10,000 cash bail for their involvement in the alleged kidnapping. Sign-up for our FREE weekly newsletter and get immediate access to: This newsletter covers things we dont share ANYWHERE ELSE! Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due tocivil unrestandcrime. However, this country isn't the safest in terms of females traveling solo, especially at night and you should exercise precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations. (AP Photo), Work From Home Or Anywhere: Top 25 Companies For Remote Jobs That Allow You To Travel. Thank you! TLDR: More whites get killed but a much larger percentage of black people are killed by cops. During the rainy season lasting from December to May, you can expect common flooding and tsunamis. I have probably watched over 30 of your videos. To put it in perspective, both Chicago and Guayaquil carry similar crime rates. When getting here also try to go to the Charles Darwin Research Station (take the BTS tour as it is well worth it). In some cases, they take you to the nearest ATM and force you to withdraw everything from your bank account. Ecuador Kidnapping: British Woman Rescued Two tourists who were abducted at a nature reserve in Ecuador are said to be safe and in "good condition". READ MORE:Airline Passenger Arrested After Complaining About Vomit On Seat. I never encountered any issues or ever felt unsafe. I prepared for my trip by reading up on common scams, pick pocket schemes, and strategized worst case scenarios. Mosquito. So its making it unaffordable. In most of the cities it is not safe to be alone outside after 10pm. Consular officers have been in regular contact with the woman's family in Australia. However, U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel to the northern bank of the Napo River in Sucumbos, an area approximately four miles wide, and the portion of Esmeraldas province that is south of Esmeraldas city. It truly has everything. "The response was beyond our wildest dreams. I have a huge desire to visit Ecuador but my fear of it being safe is my only hesitation. Understand that the less you reveal and the less you carry, the lower your risk is of dealing with anything serious. This may be because of a lack of a functioning government, the ineffectiveness or policies of local authorities, armed conflict or poor governance.. I observed that while many Ecuadorians are carefree with their cell phones and devices, never assuming to be mugged or pick pocketed, it still happens. Read up on preventable incidents so you can be prepared before you go. They took their money and credit cards and pin numbers, drove them across the bridge to a remote, poor part of the city and, fortunately dropped them off after an hour, without harming them. One of the most common crimes against tourists in Ecuador is pickpocketing. Transnational crime groups and local gangs operating in Guayaquil have carried out a series of violent crimes in the region south of Portete de Tarqu Avenue, to include several murders and targeted assassinations, armed robberies, and assaults. Ecuador Ecuador Tourism: Best of Ecuador Essential Ecuador Stay A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. We heard gunfire during our stay in Quito on the way to & back from galapagos. Warnings & Dangers in Ecuador OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. This impressive, and very much active, volcano towers in the horizon from Quito and attracts both local and international tourists. and real estate question, Transportaion from Guayaquil to Playas (General Villamil), Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Ascend Hotel Collection. Posted On: 1st Aug 2013. In July 2002, a British oil worker and his driver were kidnapped and later killed. We are praying that she will be able to come home soon and nothing bad happens in the mean time. The goal, according to the State Department: To communicate more clearly to U.S. citizens the risks of kidnapping and hostage-taking by criminal and terrorist actors around the world.. More reassurance would be great. The risks of terrorist attacks in Ecuador are low, but since they shouldn't be ruled out, it is important that you remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings. Below well go over some of the main tourist areas and examine their safety. Violent crime, such as murder, assault, express kidnapping, and armed robbery, is common. Ecuador is somewhat safe to visit, though it has many dangers. QUITO, Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso has declared a state of emergency to confront drug trafficking and other crimes in Ecuador, saying the military and . Registered taxis also have a taxi cooperative logo. Once you become a member, youll also gain access to a variety of exclusive benefits that will help you make a smooth transition to Ecuador! You'll know the official cab by the orange license plates or white plates with an orange strip on the top and video cameras inside. Let yourself be amazed by its culture expressed majestically in its churches, buildings and heritage cities. I am a Canadian living in Baos for over three years. Political demonstrations in Ecuador are common, and the police often retaliate using water cannons and deploying canisters of tear gas. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Volcanoes, beaches, Sierra, Amazon. Hi tuaa i love to visit Ecuador next month are there , reply to jr collard what you are telling us is not in anyway correct .the authorities especially at the airport anywhere in Ecuador are very friendly and helpful and upsolutely correct. In 2007, the government shifted its approach to gangs by legalizing them and provided grants for these groups to serve their neighborhoods. Many women have traveled to Ecuador and haven't had any problems at all. Most of these robberies take place at night and on interstate buses. More white people may be killed but theres also way more white people. . You Americans are unbelievable <3. Children have also been kidnapped for the commission of sexual assault. The attack occurred either inside or near the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, which is located in the northeast province of Sucumbios near the border with Colombia. At night stick to the well lit tourist areas don't go "exploring". Another important aspect of the islands is the 28 unique (to the island) species of birds like the waved albatross. The Interior and Environment. Black people in the US may be 12% or so, but if they are committing more than half the violent crimes, and have the highest rate of interactions with police per capita, then you have to divide by that. August Reiger, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, was on a graduation-present vacation. When youre traveling by bus, its best to keep your luggage close to you. Climbing, trekking, wildlife watching or just sitting in the sun on a beach everything can be found here. Country Summary : Crime is a widespread problem in Ecuador. Avoid walking alone at night, especially along dark streets and trails. I agree with world traveler, this seems to be another attempt at Quito hotel operators to try to create some kind of fear in travelers to keep the majority of people who are on there way to the Galapagos's islands in Quito , for years now there have been more and more trips heading out of Guayaquil , which is very bad business for Quito , So don't believe everything you hear about Guayaquil being bad , it has come a long way, and there has been allot of effort to bring people to this wonderful cityRen. So the OP has now returned from the Galapagos and replied.World Traveller you certainly did not read the original post properly-it was obvious the OP group was catching a taxi from opposite the Ramada to some other hotel.To me this story is believable and with the OPs return should be kept in mind. One nice thing about Quito is their tourist police force who wear neon vests. 2. Did you encounter any technical issues? A few months ago, shots were fired outside the Chabad house during an attempted . Despite repeated government efforts, crime persists in the form of robberies, car break-ins, and homicides due to limited resources, a large wealth gap, and dense population. Use common sense and you should be fine. The Interior Ministry reported only that it was likely a Colombian group that took the tourists. but dont miss out. This site uses cookies. Ive traveled throughout the country and never had any problems. If you are in possession of illigle drugs or protected artifacts/antiques or have broken the law only then will the authority be able to hold you -your passport can only be held/taken by the immigration officers or a judge. Want to be an expat? Moderate risk country. If youre planning to visit Guayaquil, its best to do so in the safety of a group or with a tour guide. Youll get all sorts of timely information about Ecuador and global expat news that might affect your travel or move decisions. There is that tension as the OP said, but depending where you are, there can be safer and less safer places. Yeah we carry weapons to keep criminals like you honest. If that wasn't enough, the assailants left them broke and alone in remote locations. The beautiful places you will discover are incredible. Due to a sustained high level of violent crime in Guayaquil south of Portete de Tarq Avenue, U.S. government personnel cannot travel to this area without permission from the Embassys security office. Miami, LA, Houston and NYC. Ecuador is one of the most volcanically active areas on the South American continent, and the highlands are studded with snow-crested cones looming into the sky either side of a broad central valley, which the explorer Alexander von Humboldt grandly called the "avenue of the volcanoes". I was there the whole month of Nov 2022. All are amazing places to explore and take hundreds of pictures at. Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. My host family explained scams and safety to me, although they recommended a few options to me that I myself do not recommend others trying such as riding the public bus at night (unless its an overnight bus ride from one region to another) the equovia/bus station itself in historic Quit and the equova at night. Period. Road closures may significantly reduce access to public transportation and airports and may disrupt travel both within and between cities. Despite being a small town, Banos is one of the most famous tourist destination in Ecuador due to having several hot springs abode. Guayaquil is both the largest and most dangerous city in Ecuador. I am an older woman, used to travel alone everywhere. Discovery Company. Also we are more than 46%, How gross Jack! My daughter loves it. After spending about two weeks . The Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Ecuador to Level 3 Reconsider Travel on June 22, 2022. Ryan, 33, a dentist from New York, revealed how the orgies began just minutes after the 30 guests boarded a luxury yacht taking them and 60 hookers to the private tropical island. Your safest option is to travel in a group or with a tour guide. Im an immigrant and am planning on renouncing my US citizenship. For example: Bump and Grab - you're bumped while being passed in close quarters like a bus or mercado and your pocket is picked. With global instability, who wants to be a tourist? We ran out towards the helicopters yelling, trying to get their attention. The country is beautiful and the people are very generous and appreciative.

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